Just sold my Gitzo GT2530 and bought a GT1542T. Really liked the 2530 but the 1542 will be easier to carry on hikes, long walks, etc.
The 1542T is really nice and seems very stable (for what it is), but I only wish the center column was a little shorter. It's nice that the legs fold backwards over themselves but the ballhead sticks out past the legs. If the column was about 4" shorter then the overall folded length would be 4" shorter and really compact.
Gitzo doesn't seem to make a shorter column to fit the 1 series, but make one for the 0, 2, 3 etc.
Yes, I know that I can remove the center column and just use the top plate but I like having a column.
Has anyone successfully cut a Gitzo column to shorten it?
Thanks.
folivier wrote:
...but I only wish the center column was a little shorter. It's nice that the legs fold backwards over themselves but the ballhead sticks out past the legs. If the column was about 4" shorter then the overall folded length would be 4" shorter and really compact.
What head are you using? I have the older 1541T and the center column is short enough such that the RRS BH-25 ballhead does not stick out past the legs.
folivier wrote:
Yes, I know that I can remove the center column and just use the top plate but I like having a column..
If I remove the center column, then the legs won't fully close because the effective diameter of the ball head is too large. Better to keep the column attached but I'd never take a pic with it extended. Too flimsy.
folivier wrote:
Has anyone successfully cut a Gitzo column to shorten it?
Yes, and it was easy using hack saw blade designed for carbon. I cut the column and very carefully extracted the plastic piece that holds the hook on the bottom. The final step was to epoxy the plastic back on. I went slow to ensure no errors and the whole job took about an hour. GL, dave
Not sure I'm ready to cut the column. But that may happen.
I'm using a Photoclam pc33, but the 1542T has a longer column. The column length is the same as the retracted legs.
I shortened the center column of my GT2540LVL a year or so back. I used a ceramic blade in my power miter saw for a clean and square cut. I wrapped the CF tube in a few tight layers of masking tape to avoid frayed edges (which may or may not have been necessary), and I used some JB Weld epoxy to re-attach the metal end cap for the retractable tripod hook and level. The wall thickness of the CF tube is only ~1mm, so it cuts very easily.
Well I did it! Took a hacksaw to my center column after wrapping in tape.
Cut easily, held it in a vise wrapped with padding.
Now only have to epoxy the end cap.
With the shorter column the total folded length with column reversed (with or without ballhead) is 16 1/4", much better now.
